Hunkus, McGiven spike gold in Cayman Islands opener

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands,  April 27, 2014 - Tealle Hunkus and Kimberly McGiven of United States-A won the first women's  gold medal at stake on the 2014 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit after clawing their way back from a first-set loss to outlast their younger Canada-A opponents,  Melissa Humana/Taylor Pischke in three sets at Seven Miles Beach.

In a match-up of unbeaten teams, Hunkus and McGiven, both 29-years-old won 21-23, 21-10, 15-9 in 53 minutes in a very entertaining contest that was well received by the jam-packed crowd under another sunshine-filled day.

Commenting on the win, Hunkus was very elated as it was their first tournament together on the tour.

She said, "We are a new pairing and we were really pumped up from the start to do well and for us to come out on top against so many other good teams was great.

McGiven added, "We knew we had to play good volleyball because there were so many strong teams and we did just that. And getting the gold sets us up nice for the rest of the season.

Earlier on, Hunkus and Mc Given had a much easier time in the semifinal with a 21-12, 21-15 victory over Mexico-B duo, Vanessa Virgen and Paulette Cruz in 42 minutes while the 21-year-old duo, Humana and Pischke rallied past USA-B's Heather Hughes and Christal Engle 17-21, 26-24, 15-13 in 58 minutes.

Hughes and Engle got some redemption as they got the bronze medal with a 21-19, 21-9 defeat of Virgen and Cruz.

Sunday’s Women Results

Semifinals: USA-A d MEX-B 21-12, 21-15; CAN-A d USA-B 17-21, 26-24, 15-13; Bronze Medal Match: USA-B d MEX-B 21-19, 21-9; Gold Medal Match: USA-A d CAN-A 21-23, 21-10, 15-9.